San Luis Obispo Senior High School Class of 1975 25-Year Reunion - August 5-6, 2000

Class of 1975 Gift

By M. Joe Johnson

Shortly after I moved back to San Luis Obispo nearly four years ago I discovered that our senior class project, the stairs that led from the old student parking lot to the main building area, had been removed. The stairs were demolished to make way for new buildings constructed in 1976-77. You'll recall that the stair project had been led by our old friend Vernon Vincent who'd put enormous effort into its completion. With the stairs gone, so too was the most visible reminder of our class on campus.

When the reunion committee began planning this year's get together, I suggested we contact the high school to see if there wasn't something we could do that would both help today's students and serve as a lasting reminder of our class' presence at SLOSH. The committee enthusiastically agreed and I proceeded to contact the high school's principal and staff.

Through this contact, I learned that the high school is beginning an effort to install high quality benches throughout the campus. Currently, there is a severe lack of appropriate outdoor seating for students, staff, and visitors. The benches are made of cast concrete, with a stylish slatted back and heavy arm rests. The high school will be soliciting bench sponsors from throughout the community. The Class of '75 will get the honor of sponsoring the first bench in this effort. The site of the bench is in a high profile location across from the new gym and very near the bottom of our old stair project.

The campus-wide bench sponsoring effort will be used as a fundraiser for the high school to support several essential campus programs and student services that do not receive full funding from regular district/public sources. These programs include substance abuse prevention and intervention services, multicultural programs, community service programs, and outreach to elementary and middle schools (programs to help keep youth in school).

Total cost of the class gift/bench is $1,700.00. The high school is donating the costs to prepare the site for the bench which includes grading the site, pouring a concrete slab, installing the bench, and labor.

Several members of the committee have already donated $600 toward the cost of the gift--more than one-third of the total! So that this is truly a "Class of '75" gift, we are respectfully requesting that class members consider contributing to this project. I want to emphasize: contributing to this project is VOLUNTARY, and gifts of any size are welcome and deeply appreciated. This gift to the high school will be made on behalf of the entire class, no matter who contributes or how much is raised.

If you are able to contribute to this project, please make your checks payable to the Class of 1975, and note on the check that it is designated for the "Class Gift." Mail your contribution to: SLOSH Class of 1975, P.O. Box 4017, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403.

The other way you can support this project by attending the dedication of the bench during reunion weekend. We will be meeting on August 5, 2000 at 9:45AM in front of the new gym. Enter via San Luis Drive (the student parking lot). The new gym is next to Holt Field and features a colorful picture of a tiger. Coffee, juice, and donuts will be served. After a short welcome by the high school principal, Mr. Dave Horsey, we will unveil the bench, then be treated to a walking tour around the campus. This event is open to all classmates, their families, and friends. There is no cost to participate. In all, the event will last about one hour.

I hope you will be able to support this project through a gift, your attendance at the dedication, or both. Your support, in whatever way you can give it, is most appreciated.

If you have any questions or comments about this, please email me, or call toll free at the number below. If you know of classmates whose email address is not listed in the class directory, feel free to forward this message to them. Thank you.

For many of us, this project is the first chance we've had to give back to a place that meant so much to us as youth and provided so many lasting memories. Thank you very much for your consideration of this important project.

Best wishes always,

Joe

M. J. Johnson
274 Highland Drive
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

805/ 549-8102
805/ 549-8107 fax
mjjohnson1@charter.net